Lagos Threatens to Seal Shops Selling Fake, Substandard Products

The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) has warned that it will seal business premises found selling counterfeit, expired, adulterated or substandard products across the state.

The agency’s General Manager, Afolabi Solebo, issued the warning during appearances on the AskLagos programme on Lagos Traffic Radio 96.1 FM and Lagos Television.

Solebo said the agency had identified cases of supermarkets and retail outlets selling unsafe products, adding that businesses found violating consumer protection regulations would face enforcement action.

He also urged traders to display the prices of their goods clearly to prevent discrepancies between advertised prices and the amounts charged at checkout.

On the practice of displaying “No Refund, No Return” notices, Solebo said such policies did not automatically prevent consumers from seeking redress over defective, counterfeit or misrepresented products.

He advised consumers who experienced such violations to report them to the agency for investigation and appropriate action.

The LASCOPA general manager also urged residents to check product labels and expiry dates, verify registration details and retain receipts as evidence in the event of disputes.

For online transactions, he advised consumers to verify sellers, confirm payment terms and use secure payment channels. He also encouraged buyers to inspect delivered goods before payment where the option was available.

Solebo further urged consumers to report misleading advertisements, unfair business practices and discrepancies in product pricing.
He said consumer protection required cooperation among regulators, businesses and the public, urging residents to report suspected violations.

Consumers can contact LASCOPA through its social media handle, @lasgcopa, or its toll-free helpline on 080 0005 2726.